Nocturnal Animals
Know that some animals are nocturnal — active at night and sleeping during the day — and that nocturnal animals often have special features like big eyes (owls, tarsiers), large ears (bats, fennec foxes), or sensitive whiskers to help them find food in the dark
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Teaching Table
Set out your lesson
“If your child hears an owl hooting at bedtime, can they explain that owls are nocturnal — meaning they sleep during the day and come out at night — and that their big eyes help them see in the dark?”
Full guide and materials
- Activity. Know that some animals are nocturnal — active at night and sleeping during the day — and that nocturnal animals often have special features like big eyes (owls, tarsiers), large ears (bats, fennec foxes), or sensitive whiskers to help them find food in the dark
What to notice. Explains what 'nocturnal' means • Names at least 3 nocturnal animals (e.g., owl, bat, fox, hedgehog, moth) • Describes one feature that helps a nocturnal animal (e.g., big eyes, echolocation, whiskers)
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1 approach
If your child hears an owl hooting at bedtime, can they explain that owls are nocturnal — meaning they sleep during the day and come out at night — and that their big eyes help them see in the dark?
Know that some animals are nocturnal — active at night and sleeping during the day — and that nocturnal animals often have special features like big eyes (owls, tarsiers), large ears (bats, fennec foxes), or sensitive whiskers to help them find food in the dark
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Check understanding
- Explains what 'nocturnal' means
- Names at least 3 nocturnal animals (e.g., owl, bat, fox, hedgehog, moth)
- Describes one feature that helps a nocturnal animal (e.g., big eyes, echolocation, whiskers)
“If your child hears an owl hooting at bedtime, can they explain that owls are nocturnal — meaning they sleep during the day and come out at night — and that their big eyes help them see in the dark?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Animals of the World
- Age range
- Ages 5–7